Ryousuke smiled a little as he walked around Seidou. Only part of a year gone and he was already getting sentimental about being back. Adjusting the two bags his parent's had asked him to drop off for his brother before heading back to school, he made his way towards the dorms. He nodded to those who greeted him, returning the greetings of those he remembered.

He paused by the area near the vending machines when he found Kuramochi and Eijun yelling at each other. The two paused when Ryousuke cleared his throat, the third year's face lighting up. "Ryou-san!" He trotted over and high fived his old partner. "How are you? I thought your school started back up already."

"I'm fine Youi-chan. And classes don't start until next week."

"So what brings you here?"

He gestured towards the two bags over his shoulders. "Okaa-san and Otou-san wanted me to drop some things off for Haruichi since it was on my way back."

Kuramochi nodded. "Did he forget them when he came back? I didn't even know he was back."

Ryousuke frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Haruichi. Your brother. I didn't know he was back from the break yet. I haven't seen him around."

Ryousuke gripped Kuramochi's shoulder and pulled the third year closer. "Youichi. Haruichi never came home for the break. He stayed here."

The short stops eyes narrowed. "I spent the break here Ryou-san. My family cancelled our plans last minute so I had no reason to go. Your brother wasn't here."

The university student felt cold wash over him as his stomach sank. "He wasn't at home either." The two stared at each other as the implications of that statement sank in. Together they turned and ran to the second year's room, barging in without knocking and startling the other two who were inside.

"His bathroom stuff is gone," Youichi said, "His DS and games are too."

The nineteen year old dropped the bags he had with him on the ground, yanking the closet door open before ruffling through the drawers. The short stop saw a small flash of pink from the corner of his eyes and leaned across the bed, reaching between the crack where the bed met the wall and grasping the soft object.

Pulling it out, he silently handed it to his old partner before getting on his hands and knees and peering under the bed. He pulled out the duffle bag he found and unzipped it, revealing bathroom supplies, clothes, and a DS inside.

"Looks like he'd been planning on heading home," Youichi said softly, sitting on the bed.

Ryousuke gripped the stuffed rabbit in his hands, staring at it without seeing it. "But he didn't."

"And he didn't stay here."

The nineteen year old swallowed and looked up at the third year. Fear was laced into his voice as he asked, "So where is he?"

Kuramochi didn't know what to say.

Takashi chuckled softly as he watched the news. Haru-chan's picture was plastered on the screen, a video of his parents sobbing in the background. He had to give them credit, they'd noticed he was gone before the break was officially over.

Snapping his fingers, he turned to Mizuo. "Find the bat. It's time to put it to good use." He grinned as he leaned back in his chair, watching the family beg for information about their baby. "You're too late," He cooed, turning to face the window. "Haru-chan's mine now."

Ryousuke squeezed his hands into shaking fists, blunt nails drawing blood. He grit his teeth so hard he could hear them crack. His throat was closed up and his eyes burned, but the tears wouldn't fall. He ignored the hand on his shoulder, and the soft words spoken between the sobbing.

His mother was collapsed against his father, both crying and unable to watch as the ceremony proceeded. Eijun was sobbing loudly somewhere behind him, being supported by Miyuki who had tears rolling down his cheeks.

Tetsu and Kuramochi were beside him, the dark haired male with his head bowed in respect and Kuramochi gripping his shoulder so hard it hurt, tears traveling down his own face. The other regulars and a few classmates were scattered throughout the audience.

The university student stood ramrod straight, his eyes open and boring into their families' headstone. He stood as still as a statue while the others moved around him, laying flowers down and paying their respects to the family.

He stayed even as the others left, unable to move. He couldn't see the headstone before him. He couldn't hear his friends ask if he was alright. All he could see was the splintered, blood covered bat they'd been given, and hear the report as the officer confirmed it was Haruichi's. Both the bat and the blood.

He watched as his memory replayed the image of his mother fainting from shock, and his father breaking down. Of how his mother screamed and cried for her baby when she'd woken up. Of how the team – old and new – reacted when he'd delivered the news.

He watched the images warp until he was back in his dorm room, watching himself study. His phone rang and he sighed as he saw the number. The last words he'd said to his little brother. 'This isn't a good time right now Haruichi. I'm busy. Call me back later.' He wanted to smack himself as he watched this memory version snap the phone shut and go back to studying. He hadn't even given his little brother a chance to say anything.

Maybe things would be different if he had. Maybe they wouldn't be here today, standing around the white stone bearing their family name. Maybe his little brother would have come home. Maybe Haruichi would still be there. He should have taken two seconds to at least listen to what his baby brother had to say.

Maybe then he'd still be alive.

Finally moving forward, he laid a single flower atop the others, tears streaking down his cheeks. "I'm sorry Haru-chan," he whispered brokenly. "This is my fault. I should have listened to what you had to say. I should have been a better brother. I'm sorry." He knelt there for a while, silently letting the tears fall.

Only when he couldn't cry anymore did he wipe his eyes and stand up. Putting one hand on the top of the white stone, he said, "I'll find who did this Haruichi. I'll find them and make them pay. I swear."

Taking a deep, shaky breath, he leaned forward and let his head rest against the cold stone for a while. "I love you Haru-chan."

This chapter made me cry while I was writing it. I hope I did it justice though, and that you all liked it! Also, should I just end it here? I mean...I could.